[Bell-Vegas]

I am having a little problem with the jeep. When I try to start the engine the battery cable, starter cable, and the main ground cable get hot. The battery will last for about 6 to 10 cranks of the starter then it is drained. Does anyone have any suggestions to correct the problem?

You may need a little background. The victim is an 85 CJ7 with the I-258. The jeep has not ran for the better part of a decade. I put in grounds from block to frame, block to alternator, frame to starter, frame to battery. The problem existed prior to the 4 gage welding wire grounds, alternator is 10 gage. Starter cranks. Alternator worked prior to the neglect, I do not know about now, yet. Battery is new. Emissions have been gutted, excess wiring removed, and partially nuttered. I have not yet adjusted the carb since the nutter. The wiring for the battery, alternator, started, and solenoid has been connected like the image in this previous post:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507595&highlight=hot+battery+cabl es

I will link a picture of what I have.

Any suggestions?

[JeepHammer]

Sounds like either your negative battery cable is loosing contact (corrosion, broken wires, ect.) or the starter is drawing WAY too many amps.

If you live in a 'Temperate' climate, go with at least 4 GAGUE WELDING CABLE, and make your own cables.

If you live in cold climates, make sure your cables are at least 2 Gauge, and 2/0 cables are NOT too big if it's really cold.

NAPA sells all the stuff to make really good cables, Including crimp on battery terminal connectors.

Remember, crimp on terminals ARE NOT an electrical connection!

Crimp the terminals down,
Solder them in place with Silver Bearing solder (not 'Silver
Solder')
Radio Shack sells silver bearing electrical solder that works great and it's cheap.

Once you have crimped, Mechanical Connection,
And Soldered, Electrical Connection,
Seal every thing up with COLOR CODED Heat Shrink Tubing.
The kid that has the glue sealer in it if you can get it.

NAPA CARRIES ALL THIS STUFF...
----------------------

NEVER use a LEAD battery terminal!
They are CRAP and just waiting to fail.
Use a solid copper crimp on connector. Most of them are cadmium plated with stainless steel bolts and actual battery terminal nuts.
(YES! There is a specific battery terminal nut, and YES, you should use them)

NEVER USE HEAVY STRAND WIRE.
The best thing you can get for reasonable money locally is usually fine stranded welding cable.
Fine strands carry more DC amps (that's why welders use fine strands).
Welding cable is usually virgin copper, no stupid alloys like 'Battery Cables' usually are,
Welding cable has a rubberized coating that is heat, chemical. UV and abrasion resistant.
(the discount 'Battery Cable' is vinyl coating that rubs through pretty easy, will melt off or get brittle if it gets hot, and has little or now UV or chemical resistance)

DO NOT use ACID core solder intended for plumbing or general use!

On electrical connections, you MUST use a rosin core solder intended for electrical connections.
Silver bearing (silver content) will help keep environmental concerns out of the wire and connections, and if you use it to 'Tin' the smaller terminals, It will keep them from corroding as quickly.

Use the dull finish, rubberized heat shrink tubing to seal everything up water tight!. The shiny vinyl stuff is about useless.
If you pinch the heat shrink together, and it tries to 'Stick' together, it's the type with sealing 'Glue' inside, and that is WONDERFUL stuff!